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When you think of the beach, you probably imagine long strands of sand flanked by blue ocean water. What many people do not realize, however, is that there are other types of beaches beyond the common sandy beach. Beaches around the world have unique characteristics that make them truly one of a kind, though there are a few ways in which to categorize the most common varieties.

Sand Beaches

Sand beaches are the most commonly seen beaches in the United States. These beaches are composed of loose sand that meets ocean or gulf waters. Sand beaches may be victim to erosion over time as the tides continually change the face of the beach. These types of beaches may also border large sand dunes, which can be important environments for animals like snakes and birds.

Rock Beaches

In certain areas of the work, large, heavy rocks prevent a build-up of sediment. This means that the ocean meets these rocks directly. Rock beaches are often difficult to navigate in a vehicle and must be approached on foot, but can make beautiful locations for picnics and other activities. Rock beaches can be comprised of massive, jagged boulders or smaller, more manageable stones.

Lava Beaches

If you have ever been to Hawaii, you may have visited one of the state’s several black sand beaches. These beaches are not made of actual sand, but are instead composed of hardened lava discarded from the area’s many volcanoes. Over time, these rocks have been broken down into tiny fragments. Black sand beaches are composed of millions of tiny lava particles that were once part of a volcanic eruption.